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Biomimicry Improves Solar Panels

on May 17, 2012; last updated May 17, 2012

An engineering team at Princeton University is using biomimicry to develop
cheaper solar panels that will absorb more sunlight. You may be wondering what
the word biomimicry means. Biomimicry is when people mimic (or copy) designs
found in nature to improve upon and advance technology.

God designed plants to be highly efficient at collecting energy through photosynthesis.
The new solar panels are modeled after the design found in leaves. The team
at Princeton has made solar panels containing folds on their surface, much like
the folds found on the surface of leaves. The folds help the new panels to capture
47% more energy than traditional solar panels.1 The new panels are
made out of plastic, instead of the usual silicon. The plastic is not only cheaper
than silicon, but is also easier to bend and fold.

We can make important scientific advances by studying the amazing design that
God has incorporated into the world around us!